On Becoming a ''Morning Person''

This Tuesday (Monday was Veterans Day), I started a new schedule at work. It involved me waking at 5:45, washing my face and turning my phone on to take a few phone calls from 6-9am. Basically just being awake to answer it. So really, I was a little concerned I would fall asleep from boredom.

I used to work from 11-7pm, waking at 9am and going to bed at 1pm (if I went to bed on time).

I discovered that it is amazing to wake up early! And I've searched the web for the week leading up to it, to search for tactics (because waking up is like war??) on how to wake up early.

I've found a few things.

Drink Tea and avoid TV before bed, and go to bed on time.
  Duh, right? But I did it, and I went to bed sleepy, versus stimulated. And stayed asleep. And woke refreshed.

Wake up to a nice alarm. 
  I changed out my alarm (which was HORRID) to a favorite song. And as it slowly gets louder, I no longer scowl and attack it to save my ears. I actually kind of enjoy it because it's never loud. I have even downgraded from 10 angry-sounding alarms to 4 nice alarms.

Drink some cold water (OJ, etc) immediately.
  It replenishes you since you hadn't drank anything in about 8 hours. That's why you always feel so sick/blah in the morning. Drink some water. And it wakes you up.

Have something to wake up for.
  Apparently, I needed my work to demand an early wake up. I have for the longest time wanted to wake up with Tom, but never have. Now, I get to read my Bible, make us breakfast, put dishes away, play Scrabble on Facebook and read the news in the hour before he wakes. And he's a big fan of eggs instead of Cap'n Crunch, so I get major props for the breakfast thing.

Do something to help you later in the week.
  I accidentally made biscuit cookies my first day in. They were supposed to be cookies made with Jiffy Cake Mix (first day in, keeping it simple!) But, upon removal they appeared incredibly biscuit-like. They were still tasty though . Oh, and I discovered that I can't use my big baking sheets in our 24'' oven :(

Yes, they will slide all the way down..

And those have been my findings so far. I woke up today and couldn't stay in bed. I eventually tried luring Tom out at 8:30 with some coffee, which he sneered at, drank, and then went back to bed.


So, how has your week been? Any suggestions on making this new schedule continue to rock?

Jay-Z and a "You've Broken the Law" notice

I have really weird dreams (can't you just talk from that title?) And while I don't do any form of dream divination or secular fortune telling I do know that I get really worked up during the day and suffer for it at night.

This could I'd what goes on inside my head when left to run amok, when I'm asleep.

This is what I imagine Tom has to endure. Poor Bizkit. Usually I don't wake so dramatically.

Part One
I've been kidnapped by Jay-Zs mobsters with a bunch of random people who I don't know (but seem friendly with). Isn't that always the case. We're poking around, wondering why his house isn't all that impressive, and he walks in. He's upset about something, but guess I didn't care because I just kept thinking that he should have at least 2 cars, considering he's such a big deal. Unimpressed.


Part Two

We're leaving Jay-Zs and apparently it ain't no thang, bc we never met Beyonce or baby-Z, and we all just say bye.

Upon getting home, my mother -bc I'm living with my mother again in my dreams?- told me that there's a letter from The Government. It's a 'You've broken The Law' notice, with a shot of me taken from a surveillance camera, throwing something in the garbage.

"You've been caught throwing recyclable material in the garbage can" it reported. "Also, your coworker expressed concern that while it was 'only a date stamper', it could prove to be a heartwarming souvenir, as all the employees quit in your department and were relocating".

When I arrived at work I got another copy of the same notice. And that the company was relocating all the workers, and I should go buy a date stamper for the girl who reported me to The Government.
I don't think that I did, as I woke up afterwards. And while I was in trouble for not recycling (but wouldn't that go in the trash?) she was willing to steal office supplies. Hm.



Where's did all this come from? 
I went to a work event yesterday and saw a Jay-Z look alike, but creepier and eyeing the candy I had placed out on my table. And then that evening, Tom scolded me about not recycling a piece of paper.

And it seems I need to watch some apocalyptic movie, considering it was 'the Government' versus the police. At least the Hunger Games will be in the theater soon, that should help the last part.

Raised Eyebrows

I'm all for the brave new world of bold eyebrows (or in my case, creating visible eyebrows since mine are see-through), but who decided that it was a good idea to redesign their shape?

Two girls were sitting across from me and I was captivated (in the worst way). And while I'm not scared to take random pics of people because they have cute shoes // they are in the way of the advertisement I want to photograph // they look like a stuntdouble of my friend/sister/husband and it's hilarious- I'm not going to take mean pics and post them online.

Plenty of people have made posting about bad eyebrows their thing- so you can look here if you're so inclined.
http://awfuleyebrows.tumblr.com/
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/bad-eyebrows
http://bad-brows.tumblr.com/

But, if you are interested, these are my renditions.

Way to high/archey, and sleeping fuzzy caterpillars
I have amazing MS Paint skills.

I have embraced the eyebrow pencil and brush, and I really just stick with the 'color within the lines' rule of thumb. As I commuted along this morning, I debate whether or not mine are as ridiculous. I faced the door windows and raised my eyebrows at myself. I'm sure it scared some people on the other side.

And then I realized I was being dumb, sat my butt down and fell asleep for the rest of the commute.

Craving some Baking

I have a seriously frivolous problem. I want to bake (things that I could do without) in our nonfunctional oven.

Truthfully, we don't cook all that often. We work odd/late hours, so when we get home we go to my inlaws to eat leftovers. And that's cool. Except for when it isn't.

I want to bake bread. I am craving a cake.

I want to make a pie, and I have a really pretty pie plate who has never seen the inside of an oven.

Obviously, I need to get us an oven ASAP. And with any major purchase, (this is major in your 20s, people)- it requires way too much research.

This is what I came up with:

Premier 24 in. Freestanding Battery-Generated Spark Ignition Gas Range in Black

via homedepot.com

This one, without a window and with a dumb boiler drawer. I don't know how to broil or desire to learn to broil. And with gas ranges, you can't use the lower drawer for storage unless its maybe a cookie sheet.

Because: How much do they really expect me to spend on a 24 inch stove? I've never bought an appliance before, I can't wait until we hit the more expensive purchase section in our life. You know, like kids and hopefully a house. And plus, we have to find a way to get it to our apartment. Not in stores, and shipping will not be cheap. Yup, I'm being cheap on this one. I even opted out of the oven window because it added nearly $100 on the price.

rant over.

Time for some coffee.

I'm on a train.

I can't complain.

Lady playing a ukulele on the train.

Make it a great day everyone!

My newest invention/app creation idea.

I just can't help myself. I have a serious problem.

deep breath. just say it.

I can't keep from taking photos of people, places or things etc when they are cool, funny, resemble someone I know. Really, for any reason. And it gets me into trouble so often.

I just did something dumb on my commute home after work. Granted, it's hilarious (will be more so once I transferred off of that train), but it sucks when it happens.

The situation:
I'm been trying to figure out what socks I am supposed to wear with boots. I don't like fuzzy thick socks, and of course when you wear boots you need high socks. Last year I made due with the fuzzy socks I hate, and have this year vowed to replace them with some boot socks. But, what are those??

Well, a girl with a cool sock to boot ratio sits across from me. So of course I attempt to take a sly photo of her shoe situation.

Aaaaaand flash goes my phone's camera.

And despite my best "what just happened face" and to point camera at the floor, everyone stared at me.
I feel so scummy. Like some foot fetishist, or a really unskilled stalker.

So, right now on this train, I vow that if I ever develop phone apps, I will make a special 'anti- embarrassment camera app'. For fools like me. And foot fetishists. And the unskilled stalker.


Want to hear about my app?

You hit the capture button. But first, a series of prompts:

"Are you ready to probably make a fool out of yourself?"

   yes.

"Really?  Remembering the girl with the boots and the judging eyes if the strangers?"

   yes.

"Ok, good luck!"

*snap*

Because I had to. Questions need to be asked.
Is the Amazing Race going through NYC? Am I Being Filmed Now?

I have to take these photos. It's a long commute home, and I require entertainment.

Okay, I'm on another train. No longer feel scummy. Love the big city for the easy anonymity, rite?




And because I'm sure you are all interested.
Some of my work:

Sometimes I document my horrible commute.
To amuse my boss, who drives to work.

This guy thought to bring his own seat along for the ride home. I had to stand.

I texted this to Tom on a game day.
Told him out future son will have matching outfits on game day with grandpa too.

I shared this with the message
"I'm dismayed that I know what twerking is, but not sriracha".

And.... my lovely sister.
Faking extreme fear while visiting on the NYC subway.

10 Goals for October

This week has so far been a whirlwind of "responsibility" and "work", so I've had no time to write these past few days. 

But I do have plans, goals even. Let me document them, because then I will hopefully be guilted* into doing them everytime I see them posted for the world to see. 

October Goals

1. Purge and reorganize, focusing on misc. storage. I refuse to have so many junk drawers!

2. Make homemade bread.

3. Get a system to clean shower. After every shower.

4. Make an alternative to cream of...soups.

5. Choose new stove.

6. Celebrate and have amazing visit in PA @ my brother's wedding.

7. Put all summer clothes in storage or on the curb.

8. Clean all the windows and baseboards.

9. Reserve car for trip to visit sister in January.

10. Find a plant I can keep alive. 

I grew this from a seedling.
Then murdered it by abandoning it while on our honeymoon.

*is 'guilted' really not a word?

Boulevard of Broken Bones

Tom is a huge bicycle advocate- and loves the idea of bike lanes (being used properly). He often tells me horror stories about how bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians have trouble sharing the road- and showed me this video:

I especially like 1:49, with the jaywalkers. Just like New Yorkers, too prideful to get scared (despite almost being hit) and never even loosing their stride.

Funny thing is, I might have been in this video. I worked 1 block away when this was made, on 28th St & Madison Ave. And that intersection is very bad to cross. And I took pride in never breaking my stride for crazy drivers and bicyclists. Man I was stupid.

This is not uncommon, and I've seen it a lot and only as a pedestrian. Tom has been hit with a car door when someone opened it into a bike lane next to their just-parked car. He's seen bicyclist hit by cars, and has told me there are so many stories about biking in overly-touristic places.

It's either a good (hilarious) story like:

"I saw a tourist in the bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge, taking photos, not aware she was in danger. I may have approached her and then screeched on my brakes, shouting 'I'm going to craaaash!' Of course I wasn't but she ran back into her lane.''

or

People have gotten hit by people who can't ride properly- putting themselves and others in danger. One person reportedly died from internal bleeding after being bruised by a passing handlebar. Ouch.

Anyway, I'm at work right now. I'm looking out my window at Queens Boulevard, otherwise nicknamed the 'Boulevard of Death' or 'The Boulevard of Broken Bones'. An while the section of the boulevard I look over only has 6 lanes (and isn't impossible to cross), people are going nuts trying to make it across before the 30 seconds are up. I am a little mesmerized/horrified with what I am seeing.

People. There will be another red light. Don't scare me like this.

Como se dice.....

...time to learn some Spanish!

I bought Rosetta Stone Totale in Aug 2012. It is 13 months later, and while the web version has expired, I will be looking into the CDs and setting the computer back up. And seeing as how I have a kind-of immersion experience available (Tom's entire family will speak in only Spanish if I ask. They tend to be kind and accommodate my English only position for the time being). So, really. No excuses here.


Fun Fact- the only substantial thing I learned in that one week I use Rosetta was...
     '¿Como se dice    English word or phrase     en Español?'
          (How do you say ______ in Spanish?)

Up until that point, the only other real phrase I knew was:
     'Yo no habló Español. Solamenté entiendo, un poquito.'
          (I don't speak Spanish. I only understand, a little bit.)

Which has been incredibly helpful. In conveying that I know nothing more than the words I am speaking. And to help Tom's family not get offended when I smile, nod, and basically ignore their question.

I have always wondered how to type the spanish symbols. Found this link helpful.

Alt codes:

Alt 168 = ¿
Alt 173 = ¡
Alt 164 = ñ
Alt 165 = Ñ

Alt 130 = é (e with accent)
Alt 160 = á (a with accent)
Alt 161 = í (i with accent)
Alt 162 = ó (o with accent)
Alt 163 = ú (u with accent)

So tell me:
How did you prepare to learn a new language? Did you have family or a semi-immersion experience available to you?

Crockpot Applesauce

I used THIS recipe. I am learning to love crockpot cooking- not just because it's crazy easy, but it takes the stress out of 'will I burn it because it is actually upstairs in the in-laws oven'. Still can't wait to replace our stove.

I copied & pasted the recipe below.

Crock-Pot
Knife to cut apples
Apple peeler or veggie peeler
Apples (number depends on how much sauce you would like)
Water
Cinnamon

Cut peeled apples into chunks.
Peel apples (unless you want skins in your sauce... totally delicious too!)
Set aside 1/4 cup of water and 1tsp. of cinnamon for every 5 apples used (more or less to taste)
Add apples, water and cinnamon into the Crock-Pot set on low - apples will get soft
Once apples are soft (test with wooden spoon) you can mash the apples to the texture you prefer (use a fork, pastry tool, etc.)

First- cut your apples.

Then, peel them. 

Of course, I wanted to give up on peeling the apples, but then halfway through, they were very ripe, the skin almost came off without a peeler. Definitely time to use these before it's too late!

Check out that bruising.

Add the cinnamon, and water. Turn the Crockpot on HIGH. Leave the room.

Return every half hour to rotate the apples, and eventually help smash the big pieces.

They will be lumpy. I decided to let them cool. Then, attack with my immersion blender for like, 5 seconds. 

Perfectly smooth applesauce.

For the record, these apples did not make the cut. Use your U-Pick apples quick, people.

Ain't nobody got time for that.

So tell me:
Has anyone else ever used the crockpot for applesauce, or any dessert for that matter?

A Commute in the Life of...

I am seeing a ton of Day in the Life Of..... posts. Well. I am not a stay-at-home mom, or a entrepreneur. Or on a bike tour or doing anything that anyone really is interested in. 

But I do commute an 1.5 hours in NYC, between three boroughs (Bk, Manh, and Qns). And every day is interesting. So today I decided to keep my phone up and log what happens. Because you know, eventually I'll miss it and want to reminisce. Right?


10am
Walk to station, see my train pulling away. Running to catch it is futile.

Walk through hoards of people, try to get into a turnstile before it's overrun be people leaving the station.

10:05
Listen to a person next to me smack and smack on her breakfast roll. Remember how my aversion to an morning egg sandwich in a this situation alerted me to possibly being pregnant in July. Realize that it's going to be awhile before I stop talking about or remembering our first pregnancy. 

Read some blogs on FeedMe, an app that allows me to read my blogs from Feedly while commuting. I'm lucky enough to go over the Manhattan Bridge for 3 minutes and also to have an above ground station before my train goes underground. This way, I can update my feeds/email/send a text while waiting and listening to someone next to me eat with their mouth opened. Always happens. 

10:19
Have either a person who is too large or to smelly or with tons of shopping bags sit down on me. I mean next to me.

Today it's took large person with bags. Not yet warranting me to look for another seat. We'll see if she keeps hitting me with her stuff. 
I've no clue why this text is staying tiny..

10:29
Above ground in Manh bridge. Update RSS, email, send text to Tom.

10:30
Check fb. Flip through new uploaded photos.

Wonder if the lady next to me is a tourist. I cough as she leans on top of me for this view. If she wants a good view she should stand by the windows. Otherwise it's like your staring at those across from you which is to be avoided.

10:31
Gaze at the skyline. Be grateful to live in a beautiful city (parts of anyway) and to have this view every morning. 

10:32
Notice that the Todoist app I downloaded while waiting for the train to arrive finished downloading on the bridge. 

Notice that they ask what Gmail account I want to use with it. I make a mental note to learn how to change all my phone settings to go with the new email, since I've been keeping the old one alive because I didn't want to mess up my phone settings. 

After making mental note, make an actually note in the app that made meet think of it to begin with. 

10:38
Girl drops her coffee cup next to my foot and I get splattered. On a day I wrote flip flops. 

10:45
Transfer from the N to the D at 34th, and see a train pulling in.

Repeat F, F, F, F until I see that it is actually the F train! Only two trains for me today,sometimes I have to take 3 or 4.

10:48
"Queens? Queens?" I would normally think this was another tourist except that she's going to Queens, isn't dressed up like shes on a safari or ready to get discovered. It happens.

(urban jungle joke here)

10:55
Train is going fast enough, but I need to be to work at 11. I'll make or be 10:20 i guess.

10:56
No use worrying about it. Open Bible app and read Jeremiah. 

11:21
Train pulls into station. Barrel upstairs. Get to work.